Cisco IOS XE up to 17.14.1 Access Point Image Download Feature hard-coded credentials

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability labeled as critical has been found in Cisco IOS XE. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the component Access Point Image Download Feature. Executing a manipulation can lead to hard-coded credentials. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2025-20188. The attack can be launched remotely. No exploit exists. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Cisco IOS XE and classified as very critical. This vulnerability affects an unknown part of the component Access Point Image Download Feature. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a hard-coded credentials vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-798. The product contains hard-coded credentials, such as a password or cryptographic key, which it uses for its own inbound authentication, outbound communication to external components, or encryption of internal data. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

A vulnerability in the Out-of-Band Access Point (AP) Image Download feature of Cisco IOS XE Software for Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to upload arbitrary files to an affected system. This vulnerability is due to the presence of a hard-coded JSON Web Token (JWT) on an affected system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTPS requests to the AP image download interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to upload files, perform path traversal, and execute arbitrary commands with root privileges. Note: For exploitation to be successful, the Out-of-Band AP Image Download feature must be enabled on the device. It is not enabled by default.

The advisory is shared for download at sec.cloudapps.cisco.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2025-20188 since 10/10/2024. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is required for a successful exploitation. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $5k-$25k (estimation calculated on 06/04/2025). The MITRE ATT&CK project declares the attack technique as T1110.001.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 236785 (Cisco IOS XE Wireless Controller Arbitrary File Upload (cisco-sa-wlc-file-uplpd-rHZG9UfC)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (236785) and EUVD (EUVD-2025-13907). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

Type

• Router Operating System

Vendor

• Cisco

Name

• IOS XE

Version

• 17.7.1
• 17.8.1
• 17.9.1
• 17.9.2
• 17.9.3
• 17.9.4
• 17.9.4a
• 17.9.5
• 17.10.1
• 17.10.1b
• 17.11.1
• 17.11.99SW
• 17.12.1
• 17.12.2
• 17.12.3
• 17.13.1
• 17.14.1

License

• commercial

Website

• Vendor: https://www.cisco.com/

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VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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